There are many different styles and intentions of meditation practices, finding one that inspires and is healing for you is very personal. Meditation is a health care practice for your mind, body and soul that can speed up healing processes and calm emotions. It can help you stay focused while taking a test, and has shown to improve mental clarity and memory amongst many other benefits. Meditation can be done sitting in a chair, sitting on the floor, laying down, and even while walking in a crowd. It is as versatile as it needs to be giving us many ways to connect with ourselves. Here are some pointers I give to my patients who want to start a meditation practice for the first time.~ Start out with short meditations a few days a week to see how you feel with it. When you were a child you learned to crawl before you walked, and you walked before you ran. There are many different "muscles" that you train when starting to build a meditation practice. Meditation is also a great detoxifier for the body and mind making each session unique.

~ Position - you may find that you are more comfortable in one position than another to sit for a period of time without falling asleep or your legs falling asleep. Over time these positions may change for you.

- Ready - To start, set a timer so you don't have to worry about checking a clock and turn your phone ringer off. For your first few times see where sitting for 3 minutes takes you, close your eyes, focus on taking slow, full breaths in and out. If your mind wanders to all the things you have to do, that's O.K., if you start to fade out and clear your mind, that is O.K. too. There is no right or wrong with starting to get your self used to spending time with yourself.

~ Remember - Each time you may feel and think different. Keeping a meditation journal is a wonderful way to track your personal progress and patterns. Enjoy!